Recent Shark Bites

Kerryon Johnson, RB DET

2:08pm EDT 8/24/19

C Ragnow has just 'minor' sprain

Lions C Frank Ragnow left Friday night's preseason game against the Bills with a worrisome-looking leg injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, however, reports that Ragnow sustained only a minor ankle sprain. With 2 weeks until the season begins, this doesn't seem like an issue that should alter fantasy football outlooks for others on the Detroit offense. Treat RB Kerryon Johnson and/or QB Matthew Stafford as you were planning.

Kerryon Johnson, RB DET

8:05am EDT 5/6/19

Johnson back to 100%

Lions RB Kerryon Johnson said he's back to 100% after a November knee injury ended his rookie campaign. He didn't need surgery and will get in a full offseason of work. Johnson will need to hold off RB C.J. Anderson for work but has breakout potential in new OC Darrell Bevell's run-focused offense.

Kerryon Johnson, RB DET

10:03am EDT 3/28/19

Lions sticking with committee backfield

Lions HC Matt Patricia suggested that his team will continue to deploy a committee backfield in 2019, not wanting to overwork RB Kerryon Johnson. "I think it’s a position-specific thing where those guys, they take a lot of hits,” Patricia said. “They’re in those situations a lot where their bodies are taking some pounding so you want to be conscious of how many plays they’re getting, especially early on in the year." Patricia comes from New England, where the Patriots have long utilized multiple RBs. The Lions return RBs Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner behind Johnson and might still add to the position in free agency or the draft. There are, of course, very few every-down backs in the NFL. So Johnson still has a shot to flirt with RB1 value in his sophomore campaign under run-loving OC Darrell Bevell.

Kerryon Johnson, RB DET

7:01am EST 1/17/19

Lions hire Bevell as OC

The Lions have named Darrell Bevell their OC. The run-heavy play-caller fits exactly what HC Matt Patricia wants his offense to do. Bevell has spent 12 seasons as an NFL OC -- 5 in Minnesota, 7 in Seattle -- and had 7 teams finish top 10 in rushing attempts and 7 finish top 10 in rushing yards. Only 3 of Bevell's units ranked inside the top half of the league in passing attempts or yards. His arrival is good news for Kerryon Johnson and troublesome for Matt Stafford, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.

Kerryon Johnson, RB DET

11:12am EST 12/19/18

Johnson placed on IR

Lions RB Kerryon Johnson has been placed on IR with the knee injury he suffered back in Week 11. It ends promising rookie season that saw him average 5.4 yards per carry and haul in 32 balls. We still don't have any details on Johnson's injury, but he should be fine for the offseason program. Zach Zenner, LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick will close out the year in Detroit's backfield. Zenner led the way with a 46% snap rate, 10 carries and 4 targets in last week's loss in Buffalo.

Injury Predictor

Johnson hurt his right shoulder late in his final Auburn season but returned for the SEC Championship game the following week. It's worth mentioning here because Johnson had the same shoulder repaired in January 2016. The Lions clearly weren't concerned when they traded up to draft Johnson in Round 2. He also lost a 2016 game to a right ankle sprain in 2016 and 2 more to a right hamstring injury in September 2017. Johnson might have trouble grabbing true primary work right away, but Lions coaches have said they see 3-down potential in him.

Projected Missed

Probability of injury per game ?

Probablity of injury in the season ?

2.50

5.9%

62%

1

2

1

1

Date

Injury

Analysis

Nov 18, 2018

Knee Strain Grade 1

Johnson missed the final 6 games of the season with a sprained left knee.

Nov 25, 2017

Shoulder

Johnson injured his right shoulder in Auburn's final regular season game. He was able to play in the SEC Championship the following week.

Sep 2, 2017

Thigh Hamstring Sprain/Pull Unspecified Grade 1

Johnson missed 2 games in his final season at Auburn with a right hamstring injury.

Oct 8, 2016

Pedal Ankle Sprain/Pull Unspecified Grade 1

Johnson missed 1 game at Auburn in 2016 with a right ankle injury.

Jan 18, 2016

Shoulder

Johnson underwent shoulder surgery following the 2015 season but was ready for the start of the 2016 campaign.